Calgary hosted an event focused on the intersection of capitalism and morality, drawing participants who expressed concerns about government overreach and debated ideas about political freedom and Alberta’s future. The forum, held at the Croatian-Canadian Cultural Centre and organized by Econ Americas, an investment advisory firm, served as a platform for sharing perspectives that challenge mainstream political narratives, with much of the discussion touching on Alberta separatism, though the event was not explicitly separatist.
The event featured a mix of speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, attracting a diverse group including academics, activists, and political figures. Tamara Lich, a prominent organizer of the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests against federal COVID-19 lockdown measures, was a keynote speaker during an exclusive dinner where she received a “Good Rebel Award.” Lich spoke mainly about her activism and ongoing legal challenges but did not directly address separatism.
Frances Widdowson, a former university professor and advocate for campus free speech, emphasized the importance of intellectual freedom in higher education. Bruce Pardy, a law professor at Queen’s University, highlighted the paradox of the state’s role as both protector and limiter of individual rights. While neither Widdowson nor Pardy identified as separatists, Pardy has publicly discussed the possibility that an independent Alberta might better safeguard freedoms for its citizens.
The event also included vendors and grassroots groups promoting separatist ideas. Alberta Women For Independence, a group aimed at increasing women’s engagement with separatism, distributed materials encouraging dialogue about political autonomy. Sponsors such as Calgary-based Bow Valley Credit Union highlighted financial products, including accounts allowing customers to convert Canadian dollars into bitcoin.
Some attendees distanced themselves from the “libertarian” label, favoring instead paleoconservatism—a traditionalist form of American conservatism that stresses regionalism, nationalism, and Christian values. Phil Hart, an Idaho state senator and Republican, addressed the crowd on the importance of creating an Alberta Bill of Rights modeled on American constitutional principles. He stressed that rights come from God rather than government and advocated for a constitution affirming this view.
Jim Ostrowski, a New York lawyer and gun rights advocate, argued that the right to bear arms is a historical bulwark against government expansion, asserting that liberty is rare and tyranny more common throughout human history.
Another central theme at the event was criticism of the political left, described by some speakers as a destructive force undermining Western society’s foundations. Clayton Reeder, a senior associate at RWT Capital in British Columbia, characterized left-wing ideology as boundless in its goals and hostile to free speech and traditional identity. He used metaphors drawn from biblical texts to illustrate what he called societal decay, describing leftist beliefs about equality and authority as having a “diabolical” aspect.
Fergus Hodgson, head of Econ Americas, said the ideological challenges discussed are visible across Western nations, including Canada, and warned they risk deepening social divisions. The event combined political discussion with economic networking, reflecting a convergence of cultural, ideological, and financial concerns among attendees.